The words like myth, management, mythology and marketing had no similarity whatsoever until Devdutt Pattanaik brought them together in his book “Business Sutra-A very Indian approach to management”.

We were in conversation with Devdutt Pattanaik yesterday to enlighten people about his book Business Sutra-A very Indian approach to management at Clarks Amber. Here are the few excerpts of the interview.

Shopping Bites– Please give us an insight into your book “Business Sutra-A very Indian approach to management”.

Devdutt– It is simply about the fundamental principle of 3 B’s Belief, Behavior and Business. They are all inter-connected. We have always read about the business text books which contain the theories of European, American or Chinese philosophers but I wanted to bring in the challenges of Indian businesses. The second chapter of the book explains their relevance with respect to the Indian system of education. And the first chapter deals with the basic definition of mythology itself.

Shopping Bites-Is it easier to make the youth believe in mythology in the corporate backdrop?

Devdutt– The youth is asking questions. They are curious to know about it, in fact it was always around us, and I am only making them aware of what is already happening around through my book. Everybody is interested in it, everyone thinks if he works hard then he may have all the pleasures of life, this is mythology.

Shopping Bites– Why is the market all of a sudden filled with books based on mythology, there Shiva Trilogy by Amish, Ramayana by Ashok Banker? Is it simply a rat race because it is “trending“?

Devdutt-It is a ‘Sanatan’ truth that mythology has been around since then, only that people have realized its value now and are more inclined to the stories and teachings of mythology. It is an absolute truth. A culture exists because we have a mythology. There would be no culture otherwise.

Shopping Bites– You have recently been roped into Mahabharata on star plus as a consultant. You have also played a crucial role for Devon ke Dev: Mahadev on Life ok. Do you think Indian television is heading in the right direction?

Devdutt– There is no right way. There will just be a way. People didn’t know about Mahabharata and each of its minute details, so it is being shown to us. And also there is a market need for it, hence the makers attempt it. Let me put it this way the truth is different for different people.

Shopping Bites– We have seen your presence in Jaipur for Jaipur Literature Festival. Do you keep travelling for similar events across the country?

Devdutt– Oh yes, I was invited twice to JLF. This year I will just attend a couple of more such events. But now I can’t spare much time to them, given my packed schedule and I am also a family man. Besides it’s not quite helpful if you launch a book at such events, I don’t see any marketing strategy in it.

Shopping Bites– We witnesses a very different and yet deteriorated picture of women in our society what do think is the position of women in our society on the whole?

Devdutt– It is obviously inferior because we have come to believe that home making is not a good option. If you want to step out and earn for your family then you a good woman but if anyone is a home maker then people ask – “kaam nahi karti?” They have made the earthly things to be inferior, be it a farmer or a house wife, so the corollary has also changed which further degrades their position. Our traditions have played a part, but it should also not be in defiance, just that there should be a sense of equality everywhere.

Shopping Bites– Having spoken at TED, written over 25 books, being a consultant, a motivational speaker, you have come a long way. Tell us about your growing up years.

Devdutt– I have had a very usual childhood. I did not read a single book till the age of 25, which might be unusual for you! (Giggles) But now I read a lot and being a writer you are exposed to lots of schools of thoughts and thoughts become words.

Rightly said Mr. Devdutt, the words are the defining moulds of our thoughts and when given right attention yields best results. This conversation definitely was a very enlightening experience for us; hope it is equally intriguing for all of you. 🙂

So any idea how’s your father doing? It’s been a bit long that you have truly given a thought about the face which always stays with you in every situation, in the ebbs and tides, with the cruel and the fine. Busy pacing the race, we are losing the touch of the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person. It’s simply magical to pour out your heart to someone who keeps his promises and weighs our thoughts, chaff and grain together, while sifting for the worth to stay! So why wait and for what?

With Father’s Day which is almost here try and make the occasion precious, as you take him by surprise and it’s truly an easiest task to surprise our lovely dads!! They are simply awesome! But what would be the best gift and the best surprise? And perhaps a lot of questions must be lingering on, making the plans full of agitation. But you are forgetting something? Miss Alice!

Here I come to your rescue and you can call me your savior as well because I have a lot and lots of ideas regarding the celebration on this ‘Father’s Day’. Thanks to our adorable city.

Jaipur is lively as always when it comes to the mirth of some traditional festivals or even the new ones. So, planning a dinner is not-in-so-much-vogue kind of idea but if your father is blessed with amazing taste buds than dining out will truly make him happy, while the delicious food at Spice Court and Ooper Resto lounge will help you earn some extra points. Take a bet on that! If you are planning up for a home-alone surprise or a special bash in home environs than the cakes from ‘Brown Sugar’ and ice-creams from ‘Baskin Robins’ would add up the awesome factor to the whole idea of celebration!

But what if you’re ‘Daddy the Strongest’ is looking forward for some relaxation? Than a surprise appointment call from ‘Ziva Spa’ would do wonders for him! Rejuvenate and revitalize your resilient ‘Sire’ (while you can impress him with your language skills 🙂 )

Live the day to your ‘Dad’s best’ as you plan for him in a ‘Jaipur way’!

The search and story began through the parkotas of Hawa Mahal, gliding to the markets surrounding Chandpole bazaar, bumping into heads and shoulders in Purohit Ji Ka Katala, then driving to the happy hangouts at the Pink Square and the new youth hub- World Trade Park.

Then came the coffee shops and bookstores. We even had some tafri at both Tapri joints. The search for the mascot was getting a bit tedious owing to the summer heat, yet the excitement of finding one kept us going!

Living every day in and out in the lap of Jaipur restores our pride in the city. The city stands tall with a royal heart and trendy sense for fashion, culture and lifestyle.

Rajasthan and its culture.

Fashion and Rajasthan.

But soon enough our team was blessed, on one fine day as a suitable character sketch of the mascot was ready. So, the WOW moment had arrived with MISS ALICE!

Yup! But no offense for all the guys out there as you will agree that the likeness of Jaipur is true with a “She”. Isn’t it? It’s the way “Shopping Bites” celebrates life that Miss Alice perfectly personifies! Life is personified with flicks and flairs with the entry of Miss Alice.

You will be simply amazed with her love for Jaipur! Owing to the same she just can’t resist going to different places and seeking out the specialties which you would truly want to try out. You would take pride in knowing about your very own Jaipur, yet a new found Jaipur! So get ready for the blithe mascot of the magazine- ‘Miss Alice.‘

They say, ‘Shop till you drop’ but we are here with the Miss Alice as she redefines that to ‘Hop at every shop till your heart drops on your favorites!’ She has an eternal love for Jaipur, yodels on the amazing folk and western music and never hesitates in exploring the famous gaalis and old markets in Jaipur. She loves to get glimpses of the city through the streets and chaurahas, while enjoying the city’s glamour. As you travel with her through the pages of “Shopping Bites” & “Shoppinglogue“, you would gather a lot of information and innovative ideas to explore the city with the Yeses and Nos; Do’s and Don’ts while chirping about the joy of shopping!

Nevertheless, our dedicated efforts made us realise that dodging hard work is never an option, when it comes to realizing dream projects. The enthusiastic approach of the magazine will provide information that will help you in making decisions regarding any purchases from the umpteen choices available in the markets.

And what more, Shopping Bites is all set as a trend on twitter and goes viral on Facebook, as Miss Alice creates the charm all around Jaipur. Shopaholics!! Hash tag the latest trend on twitter as #Shoppingbites & #Missalice.

Unfold the charisma of Jaipur with Miss Alice being ‘one amongst us’ and very ‘like us’. Get ready and gang up for an extravaganza!

The devout search of Sir Arthur Canon Doyle gave him such a fantastic character – Sherlock Holmes – that even now wannabe detective brains would like to be nicknamed Sherlock Holmes! It’s the same case with every search for a suitable and apt character.

So the team of Shopping Bites had a tough time sketching their mascot for the magazine but the experience took them on a fabulous spree. They ranged all along the markets of Jaipur, went to the busy bazaars and galiyaaras, while riding all the way to the upbeat markets which are framing a new Jaipur and finally not missing the great fondness for the chaats, kulfis and other street delicacies! (It would be a sin just to overlook them! :p )

World Trade Park

Pink Square Mall

MGF Mall

Triton Mall

Lost in love of Jaipur and blinded with the alluring charm of our traditional city, we were having a challenging time – how to get out of the Gender issues! All the girls do love exploring every nook and corner of the place they love, and Jaipur tops the chart when it comes to shopping! But hold on, as now the guys are offering tough competition to the pretty ladies as they are becoming more and more look conscious and fashion freaks. Check this out- the latest ‘in thing ‘ might be multi-colored nail paints for girls but the guys would surely take them by surprise with pastel toned trousers!!

Guys wearing Pastel colored Trousers!

Colorful nail pop ups for Girls!!

But before anyone of us could settle down whether our mascot will be a girl or a guy we were on the verge of facing a very puzzling question as to why on the earth do we need a mascot?

After all we are a Lifestyle magazine! Being a Lifestyle magazine we do need an interactive and lively mascot who will make the magazine one of its kind and so our chase was not at all a wild goose chase!! Happily enough, the enthusiastic team of Shopping Bites agreed and took up the task of deciding the magazine mascot’s qualities, persona and aura. Now that was a mammoth task indeed but the teamwork led to an amazing sketch!

The most striking quality of the mascot was jotted down as being an ardent Jaipur lover- A fashionista, Bollywood lover and a charming personality. With mirthful eyes and classy sophistication! Further qualities added were a lively and cheerful attitude dipped in a sweet smile, a fresh and creative approach towards various trends, and wit. The character would have the wisdom and intelligence to scour the market for all useful and worthy things. Finally, he or she would follow the Dos and Don’ts that our traditional Jaipur always insists on!

After so much of thinking, dedication and tireless efforts the team of shopping bites did reach somewhere, but not a final conclusion. While we are finalizing the mascot, if you feel curious and fidgety then better hold on. To Soon enough we’ll paint Gulabi Nagari with the charm and aura of our much awaited mascot, till then you can dream and have a good time shopping!

The chirpy charm of Jaipur and its royal heritage comes alive with the mirth shared by the fanciful, shimmering and decorative bazaars of Jaipur. Undoubtedly! Nothing can beat the fascination of buying amazing silver earrings form M.I road, beautiful Zari-work sarees from Johari bazaar, Mojaris from Bapu bazaar and the list gets endless! The scorching heat or the winter chill might be reasons for some to hibernate. The allure of shopping from Jaipur’s traditional as well as new markets can only be understood by the one who shares a shopper’s heart!

Amid all this, how about a magazine, which takes you to the charm of Jaipur in a very delightful and innovative manner? “Shopping Bites” is one such effort. It aims at providing useful information regarding every special nook and corners of the gallis and bazaars; malls and mohallas; traditional to global, thereby covering the joy of Jaipur. It has already made a mark, while journeying into the markets, discovering the delicious street chaats to some of the amazing shopping hangouts. It attunes its readers to the various colors of Jaipur. Issues of Shopping Bites are always very interesting and peppy as every issue which comes into being is marked with a lot of effort till it reaches our dear customers. There is nothing like a magazine that has you gripped from the very first lineit’s been said that the opening line sells a book while the closing line sells the magazine’s next issue!

Brown Sugar Bakery

F-32 Cafe

“Shopping Bites” has quite happily paired up with a reader’s cup of morning tea. It provides interesting food for conversation at dinner time. The colorful and catchy pictures captivate the readers. The vision of our magazine has been to reach the vast middle class of urban markets, cater to their lifestyle needs and be an integral part of their modern lifestyle.

We have always tried to bring the best from the vast markets and unending list of brands, products and services. Previous issues had captured the reader’s imagination as they had details about home décor, appliances, bakers and confectioners, etc. The present issue will prove equally informative and interesting about the Whats, Wheres and Whens of Jaipur.

So, join us on an enthralling trip. Choose “Shopping Bites” for informative reading and indulge your love for Jaipur!